Mobile EEG systems for alpha neurofeedback and anxiety control

Abstract

The present research is devoted to the study of the relationship between the oscillations of the electroencephalography (EEG) bands and the level of anxiety among sixteen youth athletes aged 17–21 using a mobile EEG system. The study explores the oscillations of brain waves in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions at rest. The EEG was recorded using a wireless EEG Headset System with dry non-contact EEG sensor electrodes designed by NeuroSky, a ThinkGear module, and a MindCap XL headband. The results of the study demonstrated statistically significant differences between eyes-open vs. eyes-closed conditions in the alpha band in the prefrontal cortex (p≤0.006). While the correlation between the alpha band and the state of anxiety in the prefrontal cortex demonstrated a statistically significant linear relationship with the negative slope in the eyes-closed condition (p≤0.029). The data derived from single-channel wireless system equipment demonstrated results that are close to those recorded by conventional lab-based equipment. The different nature of the interrelation between the EEG alpha band oscillations in the prefrontal cortex, depending on the position of the eyes and the level of anxiety of youth athletes, can reflect its relationship to the "inner" world of the individual and is a plausible neurobiological index of anxiety. These findings encourage the application of the portable EEG system for the research of brain functions. Even more, that device may be used for alpha neurofeedback for anxiety in closed-eye conditions.